Web Desk

This live blog follows updates for Day 8 of the US-Israel war on Iran<hr> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li>Trump suggests US troops could be sent to secure Iran&#39;s uranium</li><li>UAE says intercepted 15 ballistic missiles, 119 drones</li><li>Israeli military says found no remains of missing airman in Lebanon operation</li><li>Trump says Iran &#39;will be hit very hard&#39;, threatens to expand targets</li><li>Air raid sirens sound, blasts heard in Jerusalem: AFP journalists</li></ul> <hr>Israel says targeted commanders from Iran Guards in Beirut strikePublished March&nbsp;8, 2026 |&nbsp;01:40&nbsp;GMT&nbsp;The Israeli military said it carried out a &quot;precise strike&quot; in Beirut on Sunday, targeting commanders from Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards operating in Lebanon. Israeli forces &quot;conducted a precise strike targeting key commanders&quot; in the Guards&#39; Quds Force, its foreign operations arm, the military said in a statement, accusing the unidentified commanders of planning &quot;terror attacks against the State of Israel and its civilians.&quot; Lebanon says Israeli strike on Beirut hotel kills fourPublished March&nbsp;8, 2026 |&nbsp;00:40&nbsp;GMT&nbsp;Lebanon&#39;s health ministry said Sunday that an Israeli strike on a hotel in central Beirut killed at least four people and wounded 10 others. An AFP photographer at the bombarded seafront hotel saw one room with shattered windows, while security forces cordoned off the area. The Israeli military earlier announced it had &quot;begun an additional wave of strikes in Beirut&quot; but said it was targeting the Lebanese capital&#39;s southern suburbs, a stronghold of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Kuwait says international airport targeted in drone attackPublished March 7, 2026 |&nbsp;00:05 GMT Kuwait&#39;s defense ministry said on Sunday that fuel tanks at the Gulf nation&#39;s international airport were targeted in a drone attack as Iran continued its strikes across the region. &quot;The fuel tanks of Kuwait International Airport were attacked by drones in a direct targeting of vital infrastructure,&quot; a Kuwaiti defense ministry spokesman said, according to a post by the Kuwaiti military on X. The spokesman added the country&#39;s forces were &quot;responding to a wave of hostile drones&quot; that penetrated the country&#39;s airspace.

Middle East

Kuwait International Airport fuel tanks targeted in drone attack as Kuwait says forces responding to hostile drones amid Iran’s continuing regional strikes

Kuwait says international airport targeted in drone attack

FAIRFORD: The United States has started using British bases for certain operations against Iran during the Middle East war, the UK government announced on Saturday. Britain&#39;s defense ministry said the US had begun using the military sites for &quot;specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region.&quot; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer annoyed US President Donald Trump for initially refusing to have any role in the US-Israeli war with Iran, which started a week ago, on February 28. He later agreed to a US request to use two British military bases for a &quot;specific and limited defensive purpose.&quot; Those bases are Fairford in Gloucestershire, southwestern England, and the UK-US Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. A US Air Force B-1 Lancer bomber landed at Fairford on Saturday, an AFP photographer saw. An American C-5 Galaxy plane could also be seen on the runway of the base, as anti-war protesters demonstrated outside. Trump had said he was &quot;not happy with the UK.&quot; He mocked Starmer, saying, &quot;This is not Winston Churchill that we&#39;re dealing with.&quot; London protestStarmer, a former human rights lawyer, has defended his initial decision by saying any UK action &quot;must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan.&quot; He has also insisted that he was right to change that position because Iran&#39;s retaliation with missiles and drones to the US-Israeli strikes have threatened British interests and allies in the region. Lawmakers in Starmer&#39;s ruling Labour party remain haunted by former prime minister Tony Blair&#39;s disastrous support for the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. A Survation poll of 1,045 Britons published on Friday found that 56 percent of respondents believed Starmer was right not to involve Britain in the initial strikes. Only 27 percent said he was wrong. Several thousand people, many waving Iranian flags, marched through central London to the US embassy on Saturday to protest against the war. Some demonstrators waved placards with slogans including &quot;Stop Trump&#39;s Wars&quot; and &quot;Stop Arming Israel.&quot; UK media speculated that HMS Prince of Wales, one of Britain&#39;s two aircraft carriers, could be deployed to the Mediterranean after the government said it was quickening its preparedness. No decision has yet been taken, said the reports. &quot;HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness, and we are increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment,&quot; a defense ministry spokesperson said.

United States started using British bases for certain operations against Iran during the Middle East war; Britain's defense ministry says US begun using military sites for "specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region"

US starts using UK bases for 'defensive' Iran operations

JHAPA: Nepal&#39;s rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah grinned and flashed a V-for-victory sign on Saturday as Election Commission officials confirmed he had beaten veteran leader KP Sharma Oli in their parliamentary constituency. The 35-year-old&#39;s party is also seemingly headed for a landslide victory nationally. His win over the 74-year-old Marxist leader, and his rise from the capital&#39;s mayor to potential prime minister, is one of the most dramatic results in recent Nepali politics. The first-time parliamentary lawmaker toured the streets of his new constituency on Saturday evening, wearing his signature dark sunglasses and waving from the sunroof of a car in a victory parade through cheering crowds who chanted &quot;Balen&quot;, as he is better known. Shah, who did not make a speech, won more than three times the votes than four-time prime minister. The high-stakes election on Thursday came six months after deadly protests toppled the government led by Oli, with at least 77 people killed. The September 2025 youth-led demonstrations, under a loose Gen Z banner, began over a brief social media ban but quickly tapped into broader grievances over corruption and a struggling economy. Oli congratulated Balen on social media platform X later on Saturday, conceding defeat. &quot;Congratulations! Wish you a smooth and successful five-year tenure,&quot; Oli said. Nationwide, Shah&#39;s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was on track to win a majority in the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, according to early trends issued by the Election Commission, although counting still has far to go. &quot;This is heading to a landslide victory -- this reflects the frustration that has been building up,&quot; said political analyst Chandra Dev Bhatta. &quot;It is actually the people&#39;s revolt against the established political parties,&quot; he said. &quot;The people understand that the new do not really have strong agendas, but it is a punishment to the parties for their decades-long poor governance.&quot; &nbsp;&#39;A day will come&#39;Shah leveraged his music fame and strong social media following to become Kathmandu&#39;s first independent mayor in 2022. Rojan Bhattarai, 22, a student in Jhapa, said Shah was &quot;a performer&quot;. &quot;I was 99.99 percent sure he would win, but the majority is shocking. That shows how much the people were upset with the previous government,&quot; Bhattarai told AFP. &quot;He has inspired us all.&quot; There were 76 declared results by Saturday evening. RSP took 61, Nepali Congress won nine, and Oli&#39;s Marxist party was trailing with three. Former Maoist guerrilla commander Pushpa Kamal Dahal&#39;s party has one. Trends showed Shah&#39;s RSP was also leading in 61 of the remaining 89 constituencies in the direct elections. It had secured comfortably more than half of the ballots counted so far in the proportional representation vote, which determines a further 110 seats through party lists. Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said RSP has &quot;taken the lead in many places&quot;, but that full results were still days away. &quot;According to our plan, it will take at least a week to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/nepal-counts-votes-after-key-postuprising-election" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">count the proportional votes</a>, after which the election will go through the official process,&quot; he said. He said the count was &quot;going smoothly&quot; across the Himalayan nation, from snowbound mountain regions to the hot plains bordering India. Nepali Congress, the largest party in the past coalition government, also saw its new leader, Gagan Thapa, trailing in his constituency. &quot;This is even a bigger upset than we expected; it underscores the level of public disenchantment with the old parties for under-performance, as well as anger over the events of September,&quot; said Kunda Dixit, publisher of the weekly Nepali Times. The <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/nepals-gen-z-pins-hopes-on-postuprising-elections" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">burnt-out ruins of Oli&#39;s home in Jhapa</a>, torched during the unrest, like hundreds of other buildings, including parliament, served as a reminder of last year&#39;s deadly violence. Dharmakala Gautam, 74, who watched the house burn, said she was tired of promises that never materialised. &quot;When the Maoists came to rule, we hoped for change, but not much happened,&quot; she said. &quot;I will keep some hope this time too.&quot;

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) election candidate Balendra Shah (C) shows a victory sign after collecting a certificate following his win in parliamentary elections at the counting centre in Damak in Nepal's Jhapa district on March 7, 2026.

Nepal

His win over the 74-year-old Marxist leader, and his rise from the capital's mayor to potential prime minister, is one of the most dramatic results in recent Nepali politics.

Rapper-turned-politician Shah unseats former Nepal PM in own constituency

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is encouraging Swedish companies to expand their role in the country&rsquo;s mining sector beyond the flagship Reko Diq project, as Islamabad seeks to accelerate foreign investment and unlock the potential of its largely untapped mineral resources.&nbsp;Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik raised the invitation during a meeting with Sweden&rsquo;s Ambassador to Pakistan Alexandra Berg von Linde, an official statement said, where both sides discussed strengthening economic cooperation and identifying new areas of partnership in energy and mining.&nbsp;The discussions highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries, with Swedish firms already operating across sectors ranging from transport and telecommunications to industrial manufacturing and packaging.&nbsp;According to the Swedish envoy, more than 40 companies are currently affiliated with the Swedish Business Council in Pakistan, underscoring Sweden&rsquo;s established commercial presence in the country.&nbsp;Von Linde said, according to the statement, mining presents a significant opportunity for deeper collaboration, noting Sweden&rsquo;s global expertise in areas such as mining digitalization, sustainable extraction, environmental safeguards and specialized mining services.&nbsp;&ldquo;Swedish companies are already contributing to Pakistan&rsquo;s mining sector and see significant potential for further expansion,&rdquo; the statement quoted her as saying.&nbsp;The ambassador pointed to the Reko Diq copper and gold project as a key example of ongoing cooperation, where Swedish firms are contributing products, connectivity solutions and explosives-related services.&nbsp;Pakistan has positioned the massive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/exim-bank-to-lend-125b-for-pakistans-coppergold-project-ft" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reko Diq deposit</a>, considered among the world&rsquo;s largest undeveloped copper and gold reserves, at the center of its strategy to revive foreign investment and boost mineral exports following years of economic strain.&nbsp;The government estimates the mine could generate roughly $70 billion in free cash flow and $90 billion in operating cash flow over its lifespan. Production is expected to begin in 2028.&nbsp;Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold, the Government of Pakistan and the provincial government of Balochistan jointly own the project.&nbsp;Malik described Reko Diq as the &ldquo;jewel&rdquo; of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-working-to-realize-pakistans-critical-minerals-potential-official-tells-congress" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan&rsquo;s mining industry</a>, praising the companies and stakeholders involved for maintaining steady progress on the project despite logistical and operational challenges.&nbsp;He noted that work has advanced without a single day of delay.&nbsp;Looking beyond the project, the minister said Pakistan intends to spotlight broader mining and exploration opportunities at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, where international companies will be invited to explore investments across related sectors.&nbsp;&ldquo;We want partners like Sweden to expand their footprint beyond Reko Diq and participate in Pakistan&rsquo;s wider mining ecosystem,&rdquo; Malik said.&nbsp;The Swedish ambassador recalled that the previous edition of the minerals forum attracted strong international participation.&nbsp;Sweden maintained an official presence at the event, while five Swedish companies also took part independently.&nbsp;She expressed hope that a larger Swedish delegation, including representatives from the Business Development Association, would attend the upcoming forum.&nbsp;Malik said this year&rsquo;s event is expected to be significantly larger and more influential, emphasizing that Pakistan&rsquo;s exploration sector still holds substantial untapped potential for international investors.&nbsp;Both sides agreed to continue engagement aimed at expanding bilateral investment, encouraging technological exchange and promoting sustainable development in the mining and energy sectors.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik meets Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde in Islamabad on Friday, March 6, 2026, to discuss cooperation in the energy and mining sectors. (Photo: X/@Official_PetDiv)

Economy

The discussions highlight the long-standing ties between the two countries, with Swedish firms already operating across sectors ranging from transport and telecommunications to industrial manufacturing and packaging.


Pakistan invites Swedish firms to expand mining beyond Reko Diq

AHMEDABAD: India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said on Saturday there would be &quot;butterflies in the stomach&quot; when he walks out for the T20 World Cup final against <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/allens-record-ton-powers-new-zealand-into-t20-world-cup-final" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">New Zealand</a>, with expectations sky-high for the hosts. The blockbuster final in Ahmedabad on Sunday is expected to attract over 100,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium and hundreds of millions more watching on TV. Defending champions India are targeting a record third title and looking to become the first team to win back-to-back trophies. No country has previously won the T20 World Cup on home soil. Suryakumar played a key part when Rohit Sharma&#39;s India lifted the World Cup in Barbados in 2024, taking over the captaincy later that year after Rohit retired from international T20s. &quot;Leading such a wonderful side into a final that (is also on) home soil, it&#39;s always a special feeling,&quot; Suryakumar told reporters at a packed news conference. &quot;Of course there are nerves, there will be butterflies in the stomach, but as I always say, &#39;if there is no pressure, there is no fun&#39;. All the boys and the support staff, and I am sure the whole of India is excited for tomorrow.&quot; Top-ranked India have been the team to beat in the tournament and lost just one game en route to the final, when South Africa ended their 12-match unbeaten streak in the Super Eights stage. India have since won three straight matches, holding off England in a tense semi-final as the bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, held their nerve to win by seven runs in a high-scoring thriller. Bumrah, who was India&#39;s hero in their win against South Africa in the 2024 final, bowled a near-perfect 18th over at the Wankhede Stadium to deny England and Jacob Bethell, who hit a valiant 105. &#39;Experience is important&#39; The 35-year-old Suryakumar said having players with experience of major international tournaments adds to their armoury. &quot;There&#39;s a lot of benefit because there are a lot of players in this team who have played a lot of ICC events right from our coach (two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir),&quot; said Suryakumar. &quot;So their experience is also important. And there are a lot of players, like Bumrah, Hardik (Pandya), Axar (Patel), there are a lot of players who have played in ICC events, in pressure situations.&quot; Suryakumar said he learned a lot from Rohit, who was joined by Virat Kohli in retirement after the 2024 T20 World Cup. &quot;The way, where he left, I got to learn a lot of things from him when I was playing under him,&quot; said Suryakumar. &quot;I tried to implement the same things with a few thoughts of mine as well. And it&#39;s worked really well.&quot;

India's captain Suryakumar Yadav (R) looks at the pitch as he interacts with the chairman of the Indian cricket selection committee Ajit Agarkar during the training session on the eve of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup final match against New Zea

Cricket

Defending champions India are targeting a record third title and looking to become the first team to win back-to-back trophies. No country has previously won the T20 World Cup on home soil.


'No pressure, no fun', says India's Suryakumar ahead of World Cup final

<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;" id="isPasted">ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held separate telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran to discuss the evolving regional situation and stress the importance of peace and stability, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">&nbsp;<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">During his conversation with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dar expressed concern over recent attacks in the region, including those targeting the UAE, and conveyed Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with the UAE and its people.<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">&nbsp;<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">Both leaders emphasized the need to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-urges-restraint-as-fm-dar-speaks-with-iranian-foreign-minister" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">maintain peace and stability</a> amid rising regional tensions.<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">&nbsp;<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">In a separate call, Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders discussed recent developments and exchanged views on the evolving situation.<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">&nbsp;<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">They agreed to remain in contact regarding the unfolding developments.<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">&nbsp;<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">Separately, the Pakistani foreign minister also spoke with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi and exchanged views on the regional situation.<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">&nbsp;<p style="scroll-behavior: auto !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">AlBudaiwi appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s strong partnership and solidarity with the GCC. Both sides underscored the importance of de-escalation and emphasized dialogue and cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an area in the southern coastal city of Tyre on March 7, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Foreign Affairs

Expresses concern over recent attacks in the region, including those targeting the UAE, and conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the UAE and its people.

Pakistani FM discusses regional tensions with UAE, Iranian counterparts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the formulation of a relief-focused policy framework emphasizing economic growth, austerity, and savings amid global economic pressures. A review meeting on the country&rsquo;s economic situation in the context of recent global developments was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sharif, said a press release issued on Saturday by Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (Media Wing). During the meeting, a briefing was given on the recent global tensions and their economic impacts on the region. The prime minister directed that a policy framework based on economic growth, simplicity (austerity), and savings be formulated. In view of the current global economic pressures caused by these tensions, the prime minister instructed that an austerity- and savings-based strategy be developed. He also directed the committee to present practical proposals in this regard within the next 48 hours. Sharif instructed that the policy framework should not only minimize the burden on the public but also give top priority to public relief. The prime minister was briefed by the active committee working on this matter. Sharif had already formed a committee last week to review the global economic effects of the recent tensions. The committee had been working on a policy plan, due to which no shortage of petroleum products occurred in the country. According to the briefing, the increase in petroleum product prices yesterday was made on the committee&rsquo;s recommendation, in which the minimum possible burden of global price increases was passed on to consumers. The prime minister directed the committee to work more actively and present simple and practical recommendations for the public as soon as possible. Sharif issued clear instructions that any petrol pump or company found involved in creating an artificial shortage or hoarding must be immediately shut down, its license canceled, and legal action taken. The prime minister also directed the minister for finance and the minister for petroleum to visit all four provinces and, in coordination with provincial governments, prepare a plan and strategy to ensure the conservation of petroleum products and their uninterrupted supply to the public.

A review meeting on the country’s economic situation in the context of recent global developments was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sharif; during the meeting, a briefing was given on the recent global tensions and their economic impacts on the region.

Pakistan PM directs formulation of relief-focused plan amid global economic pressures

KATHMANDU:&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: source-sans-pro, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">Nepal&#39;s rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah held an unassailable lead against ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the highly contested face-off in Nepal&#39;s southeastern district of Jhapa, according to data by the Election Commission. The high-stakes parliamentary election on Thursday came six months after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government, with at least 77 people killed. The September 2025 youth-led demonstrations, under a loose Gen Z banner, began over a brief social media ban but quickly tapped into broader grievances over corruption and a struggling economy. According to early trends issued by the Election Commission Saturday, 35-year-old Shah&#39;s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was on track to win a majority in the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament. &quot;Looking at the trend, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has taken the lead in many places and has won several seats,&quot; commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai told AFP. If the trends are confirmed by the vote count, 35-year-od Shah&#39;s victory over a veteran Marxist leader -- and his rise from city mayor to potential prime minister -- would mark one of the most dramatic results in recent Nepali politics. &quot;This is heading to a landslide victory -- this reflects the frustration that has been building up,&quot; said Chandra Dev Bhatta, a political analyst. &quot;It is actually the people&#39;s revolt against the established political parties,&quot; he added. &quot;The people understand that the new do not really have strong agendas, but it is a punishment to the parties for their decades-long poor governance.&quot; &nbsp;&#39;A day will come&#39; By Saturday morning, on the second day of counting, there were only 34 declared results -- RSP took 27, Nepali Congress won four, and the Marxist party of ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli was trailing with one. Former Maoist guerrilla commander Pushpa Kamal Dahal has one seat for his party. But trends showed that Shah&#39;s RSP was also leading in 90 of the 165 constituencies in the direct elections. It had secured comfortably more than half of votes so far counted in the proportional representation vote, which determines a further 110 seats via party lists. Bhattarai said results from direct elections would be ready by Monday, but longer for full results to be ready. &quot;According to our plan, it will take at least a week to count the proportional votes, after which the election will go through the official process,&quot; he added. He said that vote counting was &quot;going smoothly&quot; across the Himalayan nation, from snowbound high-altitude mountain regions to the hot plains bordering India. On Friday, Shah&#39;s party loyalists danced on the streets of Kathmandu in celebration -- even though votes counted remain low, and final results could take days. DP Aryal, RSP deputy chairman, issued a message urging supporters to hold back on celebrations. &quot;Once we work, a day will come for us to celebrate,&quot; he said in a post on social media late Friday. Shah has also taken a commanding lead in the seat he is contesting -- a head-to-head contest against the 74-year-old ousted prime minister Oli, symbolising the clash between the old guard and a youth-driven call for change. Better known as Balen, Shah first leveraged his music fame and strong social media following to become Kathmandu&#39;s first independent mayor in 2022. Nepali Congress, the largest party in the past coalition government, saw its new leader Gagan Thapa trailing in his own constituency. &quot;This is even a bigger upset than we expected -- it underscores the level of public disenchantment with the old parties for under-performance, as well as anger over the events of September,&quot; said Kunda Dixit, publisher of the weekly Nepali Times. In Jhapa, soldiers with armoured trucks manned barbed wire barricades around the counting centre. Yagya Prasad Adhikari, a 49-year-old businessman who travelled from Kathmandu for the vote, said he supported the calls for calm before full results were ready. &quot;We want someone who works, not someone who talks,&quot; he said. &quot;We support Balen not celebrating.&quot; Meanwhile, the burnt-out ruins of Oli&#39;s home in Jhapa -- torched during the unrest, like hundreds of other buildings, including parliament -- serve as a reminder of the deadly violence that occurred last year. Dharmakala Gautam, 74, who watched the house burn, said she was tired of promises by politicians that never materialised. &quot;When the Maoists came to rule, we hoped for change -- but not much happened,&quot; she said. &quot;I will keep some hope this time too.&quot;

Election trends show rapper-turned-politician Balendra “Balen” Shah’s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party heading for a landslide and possible majority in Nepal’s 275-seat parliament, six months after deadly anti-corruption protests. 

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ISLAMABAD: In a major boost for Pakistani hockey, the national team has qualified for the Hockey World Cup, ending an eight-year wait to return to the prestigious global tournament. Pakistan put up an impressive performance to edge Japan 4-3 in the semi-final of the FIH Hockey World Cup qualifier at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium in Egypt on Friday. The President emphasized need to promote sports such as hockey and football, stating that these are the games of working class and ordinary people, and they should be further developed across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated the national side, praising the players for their commitment and resilience. He advised the team to continue working hard and maintain the same level of dedication and determination as they prepare for the tournament. Pakistan&rsquo;s qualification marks a significant moment for the country&rsquo;s hockey revival, rekindling hopes among fans that the national team can restore its historic success.&nbsp;

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